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Racing Post Greyhound TV Scottish Derby - Shawfield 480m (£20,000)

20/04/2015

Swift Hoffman booked his place in to the Scottish Derby final with a sublime performance in what surely must be one of the most competitive races we have seen this year. He needed to be foot perfect at the boxes and that is exactly what he was. He showed terrific early-pace to lead at the corner and once he cut the bend it was over with in terms of a contest. Cashen Maureen, the brilliant Oaks heroine, tried to make it a race and emerged with great credit but Pat Rosney's greyhound still had 3.25L in hand at the winning line in a smart 28.94.

La Cuchilla is in a rich vein of form and Steve Race's greyhound showed off his early-zip once more, he took the race by the scruff of the neck to make-all and beat Save The Don by a whopping 5.5L in 28.91.

The Irish based greyhounds dominated in the opening round by taking four of the six heats and they may still have a big say in the outcome. Irish eyes where smiling after the third semi-final when they completed a marvellous one-two thanks to Pat Buckley. Coolavanny Jap showed the best early and he popped around in front. His kennel mate Lenson Sanchez was in hot pursuit but he went down by 1.5L in 28.93.

Semi-Final Times At A Glance (Track Rated 30 fast)

Swift Hoffman: 3.72, 28.94

La Cuchilla: 3.73, 28.91

Coolavanny Jap: 3.74, 28.93

Pat Rosney Trainer Of Swift Hoffman

'He did everything right in his semi-final and he's come out of the race exceptionally well. He is absolutely bouncing, we've had him checked over and he there are no problems to report at all. He's got the same makeup in the final but it's going to take some winning. This is the third time we've been in the final Bomber Graham finished runner-up to Micks Mystic in 2003 and Breeze Hill Juli finished 6th in 2007. I have to say Swift Hoffman represents our best chance of winning it, I'd love to bring the trophy back to Lancashire. He lost his way a little bit at the back end of the year but seems to have come back better than ever, he was running very well at this time last year and you often find dogs run well at certain times of the year. I'm delighted to be in the final and my mother-in-law June McCombe is also in the final with Cashen Maureen. Once Newinn Yolo could not qualify I was delighted for her. She is not here at the moment but out in Vietnam it's been quiet over there for a few years June's gone to stir it up (Pat Laughs joking of course). On a serious note it's a great competition and I'm delighted to be involved, the track and the sponsors deserve a lot of credit'.

Pat you touched on Newinn Yolo there, he's got a army of fans and I'm sure they'd want me to ask you; did he come out of the race ok?

'He is fine, never took to Shawfield the way I'd hoped in terms of trapping, a few more races and he will be match fit. I will sit down with the owner and discuss the plans but I'm sure you will see him racing again soon'.